Some background:
I am 16 years-old*. My hobby (obsession) for dealing with money began when I was either 12 or 13, I can't remember. At the time I was really trying to figure out some direction in my life. My dad suggested I read "rich dad-poor dad"; that gave a me a clear understanding of money. I wanted more, not just money, but more financial knowledge. I started reading books on the subject, but nothing that really gave what MMM does here on his blog. The books basically always gave some sort of way to make more money than you were already making. At the time I had started a few businesses, dealt with eBay for bike parts (to restore a Chicago-built 5 speed schwinn), and was definitely over-consuming. A key concept I learned from one of the handful of books I read, was NOT to "do what you love ... and the money will follow"; instead the book said to "do what you love ... but follow the money" (Book: Business Brilliant). Now I mostly go by: Do what pays the most, if you like it - great! If you don't- man up and work hard for that money.
High school rolled around . . . and so began the inundation of "college-this" and "college-that". College here ... college there. I took hard courses, never went outside**, became depressed and somewhat suicidal, studied all day. My face became covered in zits and acne (it was disgusting to look at my face every morning when I woke up). My mind never left a state of school - the weekends were spent studying, staying up late on sunday nights to complete whatever BS my teachers had assigned on friday. I lost sleep. Got only 4 or 5 hours on average. My grades were A's and B's, yet I felt everyone else was doing better (and they actually were). Half-way through freshmen year, I developed a nasty addiction to coffee. Coffee in the morning, coffee in the afternoon, coffee at night. I could never focus and I learned nothing that is actually useful, and everything else I forgot after the chapter test. Sophomore year rolled around and I continued with hard classes. Yet my grades were not doing as well (only slightly not-as-great). My life continued to suck. I rarely attended cross country practice, told them I had a knee injury to get out of just about everything. Registration rolled around for next (junior) year and somehow, someway - I chose somewhat easier classes. That was one of the BEST decisions I have ever made for myself.
It is now February of junior year, and everyone is asking where I am going to college (yes, EVEN if you just met them 5 seconds ago!! "where the hell are you going to college?" - they ask). I have been researching college (university) for at least 3 years now. ALL MY LIFE I had heard the same lines: "Go to college, there is NO OTHER option. You won't go anywhere in life WITHOUT a college degree." I bought the BS for years. Then I found some articles on the internet about doing other things instead of college. They were mind-blowing. I could NOT believe I was actually reading what I was reading. How in the hell could anyone ever denounce university??? The sad part is that the articles are true.
College is way-overpriced, way past what inflation would call for. College used to be "prestigious" because a select-portion of the population went there. But now that everyone is told to go to college, we have graduates working part-time at Starbucks trying to make ends meet. This large amount of college applicants allows universities to become expensive. My parents both went to college. A state school about 20 minutes down the street (by car). Both of my grandfathers went to college. One of my great-grandfathers grew up in Germany and came over before WWI. Other than that, I am a western-european-mut. I work as a busser at a Macaroni Grill down the street (they told me I would be a server on the 5th day, but that I was too young, sadly). What I am trying to say is that I work my butt off, and I know it. Not to mention it is a great workout. ***
The point I am trying to make is that college is NOT that appealing to me. I like working, I don't like sitting in a classroom listening to some middle-aged-old-fart, talk about god-knows-what, just so I can take a test after two weeks, only to not remember the information the following week. I often find school to basically just be a recitation of "facts"; with the exception of math. This recitation kills me. There is no thought to it; just read, remember, write; Everyday, for what feels like forever.
Trades, yes TRADES, are what interests me. My parents would think I was bat-sh*t crazy if I told them that. I know I am smart, but I just can't see myself in a cubicle repeating the same work everyday.
You can make the argument that college provides a place for high-schoolers to "mature" into adults. SURE you could make that argument, if your definition of "maturing" is: getting drunk, partying, and attending frat parties while contracting some sort of STD.
Don't get me wrong, those types of things are fun. I like having fun, but I also like working hard. Work really hard- play hard.
There are a plethora of articles that I have read about not attending college. Most of them under the google search: "why to not go to college". Likewise, there are a plethora of articles I have read about attending college. One of the impactful articles was MMM's "50 jobs over 50k (without college)". Some of those jobs I could easily see myself doing. Plus I know I could easily start my own business, like an Electrician or Plumbing Company; where even more money can be made. Another impactful article was:
http://www.returnofkings.com/29389/ignore-the-unwarranted-hate-of-trade-jobs ****
These are the type of articles that let me know there is another path. A path seldom-taken.
So my question to you is: should I take the college path or forge my own path?
Yours truly,
- Socal Millennial
*my dad is in his late 40's and we get mistaken for brothers all the time. I really don't look 16, and I definitely don't act 16. Most people who I meet think I am at least 19, some have told me 25, but on average I get 22 most of the time.
**I also had a varied social life before I went to high school; which faded into oblivion. Only recently have I gotten back to being "social" - dating girls, enjoying time with those I value.
***Not only is it a great workout, but before I got my job I would never work out. Honestly speaking, pretty much the only way you can get me to workout is if there is some monetary reward at the end. Though recently, I am finding time to workout outside of my job. It is doing wonders for the way I feel and my energy levels.
**** return of kings has some controversial articles, I understand some of you may take offense from the website, but instead I would just like to focus on the one article I linked, as it pertains to what is being discussed in this topic.
I understand we are all busy, but please no one-word responses, MMM is a place for sincerity and explanation. :)